Surrounded by mascots from Atlanta sports teams and landmarks, Mayor Kasim Reed announced the city set a record for visitation in a single year, welcoming 40.4 million visitors in 2012.

Visitation has increased by 28 percent over the past decade alongside more than $5 billion in new attractions, restaurants and hotels in the same timeframe. The increase has pushed Atlanta to become one of the top destinations for travelers from across the U.S.

In 2010, Forbes magazine reported Atlanta was the 7th-most-popular destination for international visitors, with 35.4 million coming to Georgia's capital city that year.

Joined by Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO William Pate, Mayor Kasim Reed said, "Tourism is one of the top economic drivers for Atlanta and it's an industry that continues to thrive. We are proud that Atlanta welcomed more than 40 million visitors in 2012 and with all of the exciting development occurring in our city, this number will continue to grow."

Pate echoed those sentiments, saying, "Today is an historic day for Atlanta and its hospitality industry and confirms Atlanta's position as one of the country's top travel destinations."

Domestic visitation estimates are produced by D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd., a travel research firm, specializing in consumer-based travel data on U.S. residents and their travel.

In honor of this record-breaking feat, here's some unofficial Atlanta theme music (every major city should have some):